Former QPR midfielder Marc Bircham's next appearance on a football pitch will be as a keeper.

The former QPR midfielder retired at just 30 last week with an ankle injury that plagued the fans' favourite during his last two seasons at Loftus Road before he joined Yeovil in 2007.

But Birch has promised to turn out for his brother's park Sunday side with gloves on while he awaits the insurance from a career cut short.

He said: "I can run and move freely, but the minute I put pressure on my ankle by kicking a ball - I feel it."

Although the man of 152 Rangers appearances with his trademark blueand-white hairstyle won't be allowed to play league football again under the terms of his insurance, he hinted he might try his luck in the USA or Canada, for whom he won 17 caps.

He added: "It will depend on whether the ankle repairs itself while I'm still young enough."